Apparatus for fabricating strands, cords, tubes, and the like



Dec. 29, 1953 G. SLAYTER ETAL I 2,664,138

' APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING STRANDS, CORDS, TUBES, AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 14, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR? Games S/ayfer By Ea F/efc'her ATTORNEYS Dec. 29, 1953 SLAYTER' EI'AL 2564,1381

APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING STRANDS, CORDS, TUBES. AND THE LIKE Fil ed se i. 14, 1951 s'sneets-sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Games J/ayfer' By Ea F/ef er ATTORNEYS Dec. 29, 1953 2,664,138

APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING STRANDS, CORDS, TUBES, AND THE LIKE G. SLAYTER EIAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 14, 1951 nvvzzvron? Game; 5/0

Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING STRANDS, CORDS, TUBES, AND THE LIKE Games Slayter and Ed Fletcher, Newark, Ohio, assignors to Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware.

Application September 14, 1951, Serial No. 246,687

' paratus embodying the instant invention is designed consist of continuous strand-1ike materials such as twines, cords, more or less flexible shafting, roding, wires, tubes, insulation, waterproof sheathing and other similar things; Such an article as produced by the apparatus of the invention is characterized in that it is continu'. ously fabricated from a narrow strip of sheet ma.-

terial moved longitudinally and, simultaneously with such longitudinal movement, progressively rolled laterally by turning one of its edges inwardly upon the strip and laterally rolling the strip to form a helix in cross section until such strip is rolled to an extent that the other edge thereof is adhered to the exterior of the generally circular article thus formed.

By commencing the rolling of the article along one edge only and by maintaining the article in relatively taut condition during rolling, the edge of the article opposite that which is turned over to start the rolling, remains generally'straight and generally parallel to the longitudinal movement of the strip during formation and generally parallel to the axis of the rolled article after formation.

As is more fully explained in the two concurrently filed related applications mentioned above, this construction is particularly advantageous where longitudinally extending reinforcing media are embodied in the finished article or where the article constructed by the operation of the ap-' 2 a line at least generally parallel to the axis of the finished article.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a slightly diagrammatic view in perspective of an apparatus embodying the invention as constructed for the fabrication of a strand reinforced rolled twine.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged detailed vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-i' of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but taken on I the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view in perspective of a portion of a modified apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but of a further modification of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective showing a length of a strand reinforced article as fabricated on an apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 9 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view in perspective and showing a cross sectional View of an article which may be constructed on the apparatus embodying the invention taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, specifically a glass fiber reinforced, paper bulked twine.

Fig. 10 is a still further enlarged fragmentary view of the article shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figs. 3, t and 5 but of a modified forming element for fabricating a tube on apparatus embodying the inven tion.

An apparatus embodying the invention may have a generally flat panel til which serves as its main frame and on which are mounted the 0perative elements by which articles are formed. The panel l0 may be erected upon a plurality of standards H to hold it upright and at one end (the left end in Fig. 1) may be provided with appropriate means for maintaining a supply of the material from which the apparatus fabricates articles of the classes mentioned above. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 these supply means are schematicallyshown and consist of a plurality of spools of glass fiber strands l2, feeding rollers l3 and I4 and a separating comb l5 all of which are designed to supply and correctly space the reinforcing glass fiber strands l2. The apparatus may also be provided with a. spindle l6 for mounting a large supply roll 11 of the strip of sheet material l8.

for example, kraft paper, and an adhesive applying fountain brush l9 for spreading a coat of adhesive on the upper surface of the strip of material l8.

After the strands l2 leave the second roller 14 and the strip l8 passes the adhesive fountain brush I9 the two are led over a roller 2! where the strands are placed upon the surface of the strip of material l8. Referring to Fig. 8, it can be seen that in the construction of an article such as that shown in Fig. 9 on apparatus embodying the invention, the reinforcing strands [2 are laid upon the strip of material l8 generally laterally spaced from each other and parallel to edges 22 and 23 of the strip Hi. It will be observed in Fig. 8 also that the strands I2 are placed generally in the central portion of the strip l8 leaving a narrower margin 24 at the right side of the strip 18 and a wider margin 25 at its left side. The position in which the reinforcing strands l2 are adhered to the strip I8 is controlled by the comb l5. The margins 24 and 25, however, are coated with the adhesive 29.

If the article being fabricated on the apparatus embodying the invention does not comprise reinforcing strands, for example, if it is merely a rolled article of one of the numerous types disclosed in the above mentioned concurrently filed applications, apparatus of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is employed to provide the strip of sheet material I8 from which the article is to be fabricated and to apply adhesive 20 thereto immediately prior to the fabricating step.

In the case of an article fabricated from a self-adhering sheet material, for example a thermoplastic resin, it is not necessary to apply an adhesive to the surface of the strip and a heater, if desired, may be mounted in place of the adhesive supply means.

In the fabrication of certain types of articles on apparatus embodying the invention, it may be advantageous to adhere the reinforcing strands (2 to the strip I8 at sometime well prior to the final fabricating step so that the adhesive adhering the strands [2 to the strip l8 will have been well set up and the bond between the reinforcing strands l2 and the strip l8 firmly established prior to subsequent rolling up of the article.

In any event, i. e., whether the reinforcing strands are adhered to the strip l8 long prior to subsequent treatment, or are adhered immediately prior to such treatment as shown in Fig. l or even if no strands or adhesive are employed, the strip of material I8 is led from the roller 2| around the periphery of a first guide roller 26 which is mounted upon an angle bracket 21 that is in turn mounted upon a second bracket 28 (see Fig. 6) bolted or otherwise adjustably secured near an upper arouate edge 29 of the panel I0. The two brackets 21 and 2B are connected to each other at their horizontal arms by means of a vertically extending stud or bolt 30. Thus the brackets 27 and 28 can be adjusted relative to each other on the axis formed by the bolt 30 and adjusted relative to the panel ID on the axis formed by a bolt 3| by which the bracket 28 is secured to the panel 10. The purpose for this provision for adjustment will be explained below.

Near the first of the guide rollers 26, and next engaged by the longitudinally travelling strip of material I8, is a first forming means 32 (shown in cross section in Fig. 3). The first one of the forming means 32 in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. l-5 consists of a shoe 33 having an upwardly extending edge 34 in which is cut an inner curved recess 35 that is engaged by the edge 22 of the strip 18 and which turns the edge 22 upwardly and over toward the reminder of the strip 18 as the strip 18 moves longitudinally through the shoe 33. I

Force to urge the strip [8 into the shoe 33 and to slide its edge 22 up and around the recess 35 for rolling it over is provided as a resultant of the longitudinal movement of the strip 18 over the first guide roller 25. It will be observed in Fig. 2 that the guide roller 26 is mounted on an axis which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal path of movement of the strip 18 but which is skewed slightly to urge the strip l8 to the right in Fig. 1 (downwardly in Fig. 2) and into the recess 35 of the shoe 33.

The shoe 33 is mounted upon a rod 36 which is adjustably suported by means of a companion movement bracket 31 also secured near the edge 29 of the panel ID.

The means for adjusting the guide roller 26 and shoe 33 in all three directions are necessary in order to properly position them relative to each other and to cause the strip 18 to be transversely moved at the appropriate speed relative to its longitudinal speed of movement so as to roll its edge 22 over tightly as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 at approximately the point in its fabrication indicated by the arrow labeled Shoe 33" in Fig. 8.

Next along the path of longitudinal movement of the strip I8 may be one or more of the guide rollers 25 each of them mounted upon brackets 27 and 28 identical with the brackets 21 and 28 already described and the guide rollers 26 (as can be seen from Fig. 2 where it is greatly exaggerated) are all skewed more or less to the same degree to appropriately keep feeding the strip l8 transversely to its longitudinal movement. Rollers 26 are spaced entirely along the edge 29 of the panel In, substantially throughout its length and throughout a distance represented by the full extent of Fig. 8. This distance may conveniently be called the fabricating dimension and is that distance through which the strip I8 is moved to complete its change from a flat strip as shown at the left in Fig. 8 to a rolled twine or other article as shown at the right in Fig. 8, or in Fig. 9. In practice, this may be in the order of seven feet or more Interspersed among the guide rollers 26 along the edge 29 of the panel 50, i. e., along the fabricating dimension, are a plurality of additional forming means 32. In the embodiment of Figs. 1-5, these means are additional shoes, including those picked as examples, viz., the shoe 38 shown in cross section in Fig. 4 and the shoe 39 shown in cross section in Fig. 5.

In common with the shoe 33, the shoes 38 and 39 of Figs. 4 and 5 respectively, consist of metal plates having upstanding edges 40 and 4| respectively, with overturned lips 42 and 43, respectively, leaving a generally circular wall 44 or 45 with a side opening 45 or 41 into which the strip [8 extends. By the action of the guide rollers 26 already described, the strip i8 is moved laterally into the openings 46 or 41 and around the walls 44 or 45 further rolling it laterally upon itself. It will be observed that the shoes 38 and 39 are of lesser horizontal dimension than the shoe 33 but with all their left sides kept in alignment, as is indicated by the several arrows appearing at the left of the shoes 33, 38 and 39 in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The openings 44 and 45 of the shoes accuse- 3t and it are progressively larger and so also are the openings in all of the shoes extending across the fabricating dimension until a final shoe 48 located at the end of the fabricating dimension" has an opening substantially equalin cross section to the final cross section of the finished rolled article as shown in Fig. 9.

Continued longitudinal movement of the strip is accompanied by the lateral rolling action caused by the skewed guide rollers 25 forcing the strip is into the progressively larger and more completely curled over shoes 38, 39, 4'8 and others, results in progressively rolling the strip i8 laterally upon itself without twisting its left edge 23. In actual practice, the flexibility of the materials, however, may introduce a slight twist even in the exterior layer in the order of about one turn per fabricatin dimension." Ihe right edge 22, however, is spiralled one turn for each layer in the finished rolled article of Fig; 9 over the fabricating dimension. The relative number of turns of spiral in the edges 22 and 23 is of particular importance where the reinforcing strands 12 are employed and more particular where such strands are made of materials such as glass fiber strands, the tensile strength of which is lessened when the material is spiralled or abraded upon itself. In conventional twisted twines or other articles of the general types which can be fabricated upon apparatus of the invention, all of the strands are twisted and twisting reduces the cumulative tensile strength of the strands below that which is achieved in articles constructed on the apparatus of the invention because the tensile strength of such reinforcing strands is far greater when they are substantially straight and parallel to the direction of the force being resisted. On apparatus of the invention, the reinforcing strands in the exterior layers of the article are twisted one turn less per layer removed from the center, and each outermost layer contains a greater number of strands.

After leaving the final forming shoe 58 the strip l8, now rolled into a circular, generally helical cross section as shown in Fig. 9 and,'therefore, now existing in the form of a reinforced twine, strand, cord or the like generally indicated by the reference character 49, is led over idler rollers the axes of which are not skewed as are those of the guide rollers 26, and then onto a power driven, reciprocating, wind-up drum 5!. the power drive for the drum 5| provides all of the force relied upon to pull the strip it and the reinforcing strands i2 (where used) over the entire group of guide rollers 26 and forming means 32, thus applying even tension to the strip l8 and strands 52 throughout the fabricating dimension.

Adjustment of the degree of tension of the strip it and/or strands IE to any particular point along the fabricating dimension can be achieved by appropriately adjusting the position of either a particular one of the guide rollers 25- or of the forming means 32. Depending upon the particular characteristics of the sheet material from which the strip i3 isv fabricated and upon whether or not reinforcing strands I2 are used and, if used, upon the number and material of which they are made, more or less tension may be necessary at each of the guide rollers 26 and/or forming means 32. Thus by individual control of these elements it is possible to progress the rolling action transversely across the longitudinal direction of movement of the strip 38 during formation at an appropriate rate to accomplish the results outlined above.

Ascan be seen by referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the strip 18 is rolled into a generally helical cross section. The narrow margin 24 serves as a beginning for the rolling of the sheet material and, at any particular point along the length of'a finished article, the margin 24 is located very close to the axis of the article.

The adhesive 2E3, whether placed upon the strip l8 just prior to rolling as in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, or whether placed upon the strip I8 at an earlier time with merely a freshening coating of adhesive added 'just prior to rolling, should be of a type which will remain tacky and plastic sufficiently long so that it adheres the subsequent layers of the strip l8 to each other as the article is rolled up. The adhesive 20 (see Fig. 10) also fills in between successive ones of the reinforcing strands I! when used and accommodates itself to irregularities in the shape of the layers of the strip l8.

The wider margin 25 has particular utility where it is desired to provide an extra lap of sheet material from the strip is as a protective exterior wrapping for the finished article. In Fig. 9 it can be seen that there is an entire outside layer of unreinforced sheet material around the exterior of the last portion of thestrip It to which reinforcing strands i2 are adhered. In other articles which can be fabricated upon an apparatus embodying the invention in accordance with the process of related application Serial No. 246,686 of Slayter and Fletcher, the

"margin 25 may be omitted and the outer edge 23 of the finished article may follow closely adja-- cent the last of the reinforcing strands 12 when they are employed.

Fig. 6 illustrates a portion of a modified apparatus embodying the invention in which the forming means 32 that comprise the modified shoes 33, 38, 39, etc., are replaced by forming means 52 which comprise rollers 53 journalled upon vertically extending pins 55 mounted at the edge 29 of the panel it between adjacent ones of the guiderollers 26. As is the case with the forming means 52 which comprise the several shoes described, the forming means 52 and their rollers 53 are adjustably positionable so that the lateral movement of the strip is b ing rolled which results from the skew of the guide rollers 5, combined with the resistance to such lateral movement provided by the rollers 53, results, first, in rolling over the edge 22 of the strip l8, and then rolling up the strip to form the finished article 49.

Fig. 7 illustrates a third modification of portions of the apparatus embodying the invention in which forming means 55 are provided with rollers 56 having spool shaped peripheries. In common with the rollers 53 the rollers 56 are mounted upon generally vertically extending pins 5! adjustably supported along the edge 2d of the of the rollers 56, in common with the later shoe- 38 (Fig. 4), is provided with a circumferential groove of larger diameter so designed as to ac commodate the increasing diameter of the longitudinally moving partially rolled up strip [8. Similarly, successive ones of the spool shaped rollers 55 are successively modified until a final one of the rollers 06, corresponding to the final shoe 48, is provided with a grooved periphery having sufficient size to accommodate the final rolled twine, strand, or other article 49 as it leaves the fabricating dimension and is carried over the final idler rollers 50 and onto the wind-up spool E: or similar device.

Fig. 11 is a detailed vertical cross sectional view similar to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 but showing a first forming means 53 that comprises a special shoe 59 designed for initial formation of a tubular article on apparatus embodying the invention. The shoe 59 is provided with a mandrel 50 located concentrically with and inside a curled over edge El of the shoe 59. When it is desired to fabricate a tubular article in accordance with the process of Slayter and Fletcher related application Serial No. 246,686 on apparatus of the instant invention, the forming means 58 is substituted for the first or second ones of the shoes of the type illustrated in Figs. 3, 1 and 5. Thus when the edge 22 of the strip E8 to be folded is laterally forced into the shoe 55 of Fig. 9, the edge 22 is curled up around and over the mandrel 60 and brought back down against the upper surface of the strip l8 leaving a central opening formed by the mandrel 68. In such structures the upper surface of the strip [8 either is coated with adhesive material or is otherwise made capable of adhering to itself. For example, when the sheet material is itself thermoplastic, heat may be applied thereto. After the initial rolling accomplished by the shoe 53, the remainder of the operation progresses through an apparatus embodying the invention in a manner identical with that already described. The initial open loop or layer of the strip [8 formed around the mandrel 6-3 remains open as the strip I8 is rolled up and the finished article thus is tubular. Providing the appropriate type of sheet material is used for the strip l8, such a tubing may be flexible and capable of carrying fluids and liquids compatible with the material from which it is made.

The arcuate edge 2s of the panel In and the spatial relationship of the wind-up drum 5i and feeding rollers i; and El therewith is established in order to insure that tension remains on the strip i3 and strands l2 (if used) all during their longitudinal progression through the fabricating dimension. While the panel it is shown as being erected vertically in the embodiments of the i vention detailed herein, it may, of course, be horizontal and in such a case similar tension developing and maintaining relationships between the elements of the invention should be established and maintained.

The embodiments of the invention which have been described in detail may be modified by the addition or deletion of various feeding means for providing a continuous supply of strips of selected sheet materials, reinforcing strands or other media, cores, etc., without departing from the fundamental concept of apparatus embodyihg the invention. Such changes dictated as explained above or in accordance with the teachings of the copending concurrently filed applications referred to herein are intended to lie within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Having described the invention, we claim:

1. Apparatus for the fabrication of a continuous strand, cord, rod, tube or the like that comprises, in combination, means for longitudinally moving a strip of sheet material along a path and a plurality of progressively modified forming means located along one side of the path of movement or said strip 101 turning over only one edge of said strip upon itself and for rolling said strip transversely as it moves longitudinally.

Apparatus I01 the fabrication of a continuous strand, cord, rod, tube or the like that comprises, in combination, roller means for guiding a narrow strip or sheet material along a longituuiiiaily extending path, and forming means adjacent such path 101 turning only one edge of said strip over upon said strip and 101' rolling said strip transversely upon itself as it moves alon said path, said means being progressively larger to accommodate the progressive increase in cross section or the rolled portion of said strip.

3. apparatus 101 the fabrication of a continuous strand, cord, I'OCl, tube or the like that comprises, in combination, means for longitudinally moving a strip or sheet material along a path and for applying transverse force to said strip 101 moving said strip progressively toward one side of said path and progressively modined forming means located along such side 01'. the path of movement or said strip for continuousiy and progressively roiling said strip over upon itself transversely to its direction of longitudinal movement.

l. Apparatus for the fabrication of a continuous strand, cord, rod, tube or the like that comprises, in combination, means for longitudinally moving a strip of sheet material along a path and for applying transverse force to said strip for moving said strip progressively toward one side of said path and a plurality of progressiveiy modiiieo; forming means located along such side of the path or movement of said strip 101 turning over only one edge of said strip upon itself and for rolling said strip transversely as it moves longitudinally.

b. Apparatus for the fabrication of a continuous strand, cord, rod, tube or th like that comprises, in combination, roller means for guiding a narrow strip of sheet material along a longitudinaliy extending path, and forming means extending along a line adjacent such path and gradually converging therewith for turning only one edge of said strip over upon said strip and for rolling said strip transversely upon itself as it moves along said path, said means being progressively larger to accommodate the progressive increase in size of the rolled portion of said strip.

6. Apparatus for the fabrication of a continuous strand, cord, rod, tube or the like that comprises, in combination, a plurality of spaced rollers extending along a path and having their axes slightly skewed from lines normal to such path for guiding a narrow strip of sheet material along and progressively across such path, a plurality of forming means positioned along such path and adapted to engage and progressively roll over one edge of such strip and means for feeding such strip along said rollers.

7. Apparatus for the fabrication of a continuous strand, cord, rod, tube or the like that comprises, in combination, a plurality of guide rollers spaced along a path, the axes of said rollers being parallel to ach other and skewed from a line normal to said path, the peripheries of said rollers being engaged by a narrow strip of sheet material, means for pulling said strip along such path in contact with said rollers, a plurality of forming means spaced between said rollers along one side of such path and having parts generally perpendicular to the axes of said rollers and the edge of such strip progressively engaged by one edge of such strip and adapted to roll such edge over upon such strip and to progressively roll said strip upon itself transversely, each of said rollers and forming means being individually adjustable relative to such path for varying its eifect on the movement and rolling of such strip, and means for maintaining a supply of such strip of material in position to be pulled over said rollers.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the guide rollers are mounted on horizontal axes spaced along an upper curved edge of a vertically extending frame.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said forming means consist of flat shoes over which said strip slides and having vertical edges with curved recesses on the sides thereof adjacent said strip and into which the edge of said strip is forced to roll over such edge and roll up said strip progressively.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said forming means are rollers mounted on axes generally perpendicular to the axes of said guide rollers and spaced along a path adjacent and gradually converging with the path along which said guide rollers are spaced.

11. A machine for fabricating continuous twine comprising, in combination, a longitudinally extending. path defining frame, a plurality of spaced brackets mounted along said frame, a roller mounted on each of said brackets, said rollers having generally parallel axes extending gener- 10 ally transversely to the path defined by said frame, means for feeding a continuous web of sheet material over said rollers along said path, the surface of said web not in contact with said rollers having an adhesive coating, the axes of said rollers being skewed relative to lines normal to said path whereby as said web moves therealong it is laterally progressed thereacross and one edge of said web, when viewed in plan, extends generally diagonally across said path from one end thereof to the other, a plurality of formers mounted on said frame along that side of said path toward which said web is laterally progressed, each of said formers having a surface extending generally upwardly relative to the surface of said web whereby that edge of said web on th side toward said formers is turned over upon said web and said web is rolled upon itself as the lateral progression of said web forces said web against said formers, and means at the end of the path defined by said frame for packaging the rolled web.

GAMES SLAYTER. ED FLETCHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,674,171 Gammeter et al. June 19, 1928 1,695,622 Wachsmuth Dec. 18, 1928 1,708,129 Gammeter Apr. 9, 1929 1,726,755 Morris Sept. 3, 1929 2,074,580 Fourness et al Mar. 23, 1937 2,135,880 Waldman et al Nov. 8, 1938 2,553,757 Evans May 22, 1951 2,577,843 Crosby et al Dec. 11, 1951 

